Kona Friends

Wed, Dec 15th. We're currently anchored out in the harbor on the Kailua-Kona side of the Big Isle & the tender boats are off-loading people to the pier. We're up around 7:30 , with breakie on the aft deck and watching for some whales. Here comes Geoff & now KK so we enjoy the morning, and discuss Geoff's injury-it will probly keep him out of the kayak trip tomorrow on Kauai. Next is to get a ticket so we can go ashore & check out Kona. It's a bout a 30 minute process to finally get to the boat-each one holds about 90 people- & only a six-minute ride to the pier. Me & the Mrs are # 524 on the list...don't know how many people will actually leave the boat today. We check on a rental car, but none available so we wait on the others & figure they will want to just stay at the beach. Well, guess not, off we go, shopping in the many shops along this rugged coast, with waves crashing along the sea wall. I have called our friends, Kim & Minnie (my mom's neighbor from Morris, OK), and we will meet up for lunch at the Fish Hopper around 12:30. The rest of the crew heads for Bubba Gump's, since they have prepaid cards. We buy a few things & go off for lunch spots & there's Kim & Minnie! We have a great lunch & a better visit & Minnie tells us she thinks of my mom almost everyday & even has gifts for her & also me & KK (fudge). Back up to the local outdoor market & some serious shopping & looks like no beach time today. Now me & KK need to get to a store and get distilled water for her breather, so we walk up the "hill" to a super market, and back to Hilo Hattie's for a shuttle to the pier & thru security for our tender back to the ship-we leave here at 6:00 this evening, headed for Kauai. Back on the ship, unload our stuff & head to hot tub for some relaxation. I go to the library to blog a little & use up my last 40 minutes..sorry for the delay folks but it was pricey on the ship! Now back to room to clean up for supper-this time to the Skyline Lounge, a sit down, ritzy joint & very nice. Formal waiters, excellent menu, with lobster the main selection tonight, oh & the "no-person" piano. Felesa is a little uneasy, but Justin dives in & orders everything, and eats it!